Crews Fully Contain Madison Fire in Taos Canyon

Fire crews continued suppression efforts on the lightning-caused Madison Fire in Taos Canyon today. The fire is 2.5 acres with 100% containment. The size, previously estimated at 3 acres, was updated after a crewmember walked the fire’s perimeter. 

Personnel from the Rio Fernando Volunteer Fire Dept., Taos Pueblo Snowballs, Angel Fire Fire Dept., the Johnson County (Kansas) Fire Dept. and Madison (Idaho) Fire Dept. worked the fire today.  

“Whether it’s suppression or restoration, our partners are critical to the success of all efforts in addressing wildfire across the Enchanted Circle Landscape,” said Elias Hurtado, a Carson National Forest duty officer who is overseeing the Madison Fire, which is within the landscape. 

The Enchanted Circle is one of 21 high-risk landscapes in the Forest Service’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy. It covers 1.5 million acres of federal, state and local lands in Northern New Mexico. Carson National Forest managers have identified Taos Canyon as a high priority for reducing risk to communities and infrastructure and improving forest resiliency. 

Fire crews will continue to work the Madison Fire until it is fully controlled and called out. This will be the final update unless conditions significantly change. 

(Photos: Low to moderate fire effects in a mixed conifer area, as seen on Sun., Aug. 20., by Judd Riley, Engine 41, Madison Fire Department)